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Red Storm
American Commander “Mac” MacTavish and his international team of scientists and engineers are wrapping up an eighteen-month mission at Mars Base. Without warning, all communication with Earth is mysteriously lost. Mac’s egotistical science chief discovers that a massive solar flare has impacted Earth, causing catastrophic damage and most likely political and social upheaval.Unsure if it is safe to return home, Mac decides to wait for the arrival of the Mars 3 spacecraft and the relief crew already en route from Earth. After several weeks with no communication, Mars 3 lands nearby, showing no signs of life. Expecting a grisly scene, Mac enters the lifeless lander, but he is stunned and horrified by what he discovers. Are Mac and his crew the sole survivors of a galactic solar catastrophe or something more sinister? Now it is up to him to discover the truth in the midst of this Red Storm.
- GenresScience Fiction
287 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2011
103 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 13, 2024
A well thought out plot backed up with science
I love wading through a good book page after page living with the characters you root for and those who are despicable with no redeeming qualities. Just this could be made into a movie simular to Matt Damon in the 2015 film "the Martin." Growing plant and fish on the base proved you can survive the tough conditions. I Thought the gardens would benefit from the material from the astronauts bodies not just buried and for forgotten.
I would love to read a follow-up. 😄
I love wading through a good book page after page living with the characters you root for and those who are despicable with no redeeming qualities. Just this could be made into a movie simular to Matt Damon in the 2015 film "the Martin." Growing plant and fish on the base proved you can survive the tough conditions. I Thought the gardens would benefit from the material from the astronauts bodies not just buried and for forgotten.
I would love to read a follow-up. 😄
August 16, 2024
What a great read! I’m not much for apocalyptic science fiction but this was a really good story. Once I got into it I couldn’t put it down.
August 22, 2012
I heard the author talk about his book on the local PBS station, too. It made me immediately want to read it because I have a fascination with all things Mars. I was not disappointed! It was a page turner with characters that I found quite interesting. I would easily recommend this book to anyone and everyone who enjoys a good thriller. Right from the first chapter, I was engrossed until the end. A definite must-read!
September 19, 2011
I love Science Fiction and Frank writes SciFi as if he's been writing it for years. Great book, great characters, twist ending. Loved it!!!
I can't wait for the next one.
I can't wait for the next one.
October 11, 2011
Great story, but ends too abruptly...sequel?
April 14, 2025
This is a hard book to review. About the first three-quarters of it is fairly good science fiction. The descriptions of how an exploration team might live on Mars seem plausible. There are several clever plot twists, although a botanist saving the day in hand-to-hand combat with a much larger and stronger special forces soldier is a bit of a stretch.
THEN we have the last quarter of the book. This involves ancient aliens with a global conspiracy that in turn was related to the Catholic Church. It's incredibly unbelievable and no more serious science fiction than The Wizard of Oz.
Like I said, there are a few strong points. People into pseudo-science and conspiracy theories might enjoy the story. However, if you're looking for a science fiction read, you're liable to be disappointed in the end.
THEN we have the last quarter of the book. This involves ancient aliens with a global conspiracy that in turn was related to the Catholic Church. It's incredibly unbelievable and no more serious science fiction than The Wizard of Oz.
Like I said, there are a few strong points. People into pseudo-science and conspiracy theories might enjoy the story. However, if you're looking for a science fiction read, you're liable to be disappointed in the end.
July 20, 2024
The writing was good and the plot was good but not perfect. The writer stretches the suspense out to a maximum, then the big reveal doesn’t seem big enough. Quite a few intelligent and highly educated humans were murdered in this tableau alone, aside from what took place on earth in the preceding 50 years. The big Truth isn’t worth all that.
Having the second-in-command hold enough power to fake all the comms with earth is a gross weakness for the project. Also the commander gave the “ sole survivor “ way too much latitude. They should have tranq’d her for medical testing early on.
Having the second-in-command hold enough power to fake all the comms with earth is a gross weakness for the project. Also the commander gave the “ sole survivor “ way too much latitude. They should have tranq’d her for medical testing early on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2024
Good read…
Red Storm is an interesting sci-fi read. It had more strong points than weak one that could have vanquished with a couple paragraphs. For example, Travis never clearly reviled, or why he had no doubt that he would accepted back by the Commander or his girlfriend, or the crew on the Commanders side. In addition, Travis never express sorrow for assigning in blasting his girlfriend and the other crew members to their death. In short, Travis’ turn around was a weak point in this story. Having given that criticism, I recommend Red Storm as a solid albeit light read.
Red Storm is an interesting sci-fi read. It had more strong points than weak one that could have vanquished with a couple paragraphs. For example, Travis never clearly reviled, or why he had no doubt that he would accepted back by the Commander or his girlfriend, or the crew on the Commanders side. In addition, Travis never express sorrow for assigning in blasting his girlfriend and the other crew members to their death. In short, Travis’ turn around was a weak point in this story. Having given that criticism, I recommend Red Storm as a solid albeit light read.
September 5, 2025
A great book to enjoy.
You will be taken on a journey that takes you to Mars wear people can live and discover things . But they run into trouble and things get real strange , the author takes on a ride which keeps you wanting more . The did a great job with the book it will leave you wondering about it , great job with the book .
You will be taken on a journey that takes you to Mars wear people can live and discover things . But they run into trouble and things get real strange , the author takes on a ride which keeps you wanting more . The did a great job with the book it will leave you wondering about it , great job with the book .
January 28, 2025
Riveting
There are secrets and there is betrayal. There is murder, revelations that are astounding and there is sacrifice. This has it all. Come see for yourself and read this great tale.
There are secrets and there is betrayal. There is murder, revelations that are astounding and there is sacrifice. This has it all. Come see for yourself and read this great tale.
September 16, 2024
Really bad science. Gave up.
April 15, 2025
Riveting Story
As always, I really enjoy amazing, likeable characters and this story didn’t disappoint. Interesting way Of presenting the ore is if this book
As always, I really enjoy amazing, likeable characters and this story didn’t disappoint. Interesting way Of presenting the ore is if this book
May 21, 2025
excellent work
I will amend this as soon as I can. Only a few chapters in. So far so good, this is quite a read, cannot wait to read the whole book
I will amend this as soon as I can. Only a few chapters in. So far so good, this is quite a read, cannot wait to read the whole book
July 26, 2025
Good story. Didn't like the writing style. It just didn't drive me to want to turn the next page. Several twists kept you on your toes.
August 7, 2012
Two stars is probably generous. Heard the author on local talk show and sentimentally wanted to read something about Mars over the weekend. The author is a local guy, and he sprinkled some local references in the book - UC Davis, Lake Tahoe, etc which were appealing to me. And his comments in the acknowledgements section were touchingly grateful.
But the book. Plot was very predictable, but serviceable in a very limited way. I can even enjoy books with weak/no plots as long as the characters make for fun company. But these weren't. The plot was dazzling, compared to the characters and their development. They seemed like they had been ripped from a Mark Trail comic strip segment.
So, kind of a waste of time, but nice to be immersed in Mars waiting for Curiosity to make her descent. But a re-reading of the Martian Chronicles would have been a better bet.
But the book. Plot was very predictable, but serviceable in a very limited way. I can even enjoy books with weak/no plots as long as the characters make for fun company. But these weren't. The plot was dazzling, compared to the characters and their development. They seemed like they had been ripped from a Mark Trail comic strip segment.
So, kind of a waste of time, but nice to be immersed in Mars waiting for Curiosity to make her descent. But a re-reading of the Martian Chronicles would have been a better bet.
April 6, 2015
Great premise but doesn't deliver.
This book has a great premise, but doesn't deliver due to a soft, Hollywood style ending. Also suffers from poorly written dialogue.
This book has a great premise, but doesn't deliver due to a soft, Hollywood style ending. Also suffers from poorly written dialogue.
October 24, 2015
Great novel
An amazingly well written first novel, exciting, entertaining and inspirational. Will certainly join the ranks of good Martian exploration fiction.
An amazingly well written first novel, exciting, entertaining and inspirational. Will certainly join the ranks of good Martian exploration fiction.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews